I wouldn't call myself a "Flash programmer" (more Max and Maya, really), but I've done a little bit of Flash 8.0 programming, both at the JavaScript API and DLL level, so I might be able to help out, or help you find someone who can. (It largely depends on how big the job is; I don't have a huge amount of free time.)

So if you'd like to shoot me an email with a rough idea of what you're interested in doing, I can take a look.

I'd also be happy to talk to you about your project. I can import characters as SWFs and then rig and animate them in Softimage XSI - which has a vastly superior IK/FK system than any Flash-based animation program on the market. (or if you're interested in this approach and want to do it yourself, send me an email and I'll do my best to help you get up an running.)

I have always liked using Toon Titan for my Non-Linear Flash animations. It has a setting for NTSC Safe colors. I also have seen some good things from the same people, like Nested Timeline Panel, that makes it a breeze for lip-syncing.

Also, from experience, there is a good Auto-Save Plugin that can prevent the loss of lots of work.

I, personally, think that Flash animation is a perfectly fine format for animation. It has the capability, in my experience, to do everything that "traditional" animation can--just without killing so many trees.

the flash color palette looks incredibly solid and computery. a good tool to use for coloring is to paint all the colors you want to use solidly onto single sheets of paper, scan them in, and use the dye function where you can dye your own uploaded jpegs as their own colors/textures. instead of clicking a color on a digital palette, you can mix and paint your own, less primary-looking colors. makes it look more like animation cels (if done correctly).

HiI'm not a programmer, but I've found many links that can be useful to you. All of them come from Adam Phillips, the creator of Bitey castle, so maybe you can write him for more info. These are the links:Adam Phillipslink1link2link3link4Your Pal,Carlo Guillot

It sounds like John is asking for a programmer to make flash friendlier for animators (correct me if I'm wrong).Would this make it possible for on-'canvas' snapping to path features, arranging the pivot points with no problems and easier animation over all by internal integration of programming? Just a guess, and I'm definitely not the guy to do it.

Have you looked at Toon Boom's software lately? To me it is much more "animator friendly" than Flash, and you can export to .swf.There is a camera built in to their software so you can pan and zoom many layers much easier than you can in Flash.They also have some great tools for quickly scanning in batches of PAPER DRAWINGS ! ... (& no I don't work for them) .... but hey, they are Canadian !I really enjoy your blog.

Actually Corey, if you are making a direct comparison with Flash, I think ToonBoom Studio would be the software John would buy and that is only about $300.However, since John has written about how much he prefers animating on paper I think he should get a higher end program that does batch scanning, and vectorizes the lines quickly while preserving his original drawn lines. I think the program John should get is called Harmony. Based on his passion for paper animation, and the number of readers this blog receives, I think it would be in Toon Boom's interest to give him a copy of Harmony (with training) and see what happens ! I'm tired of hearing about "paperless" animation. It doesn't compare to drawing on paper with a real pencil.